England’s Scotland stalemate wasn’t as disastrous as some made out…but it proved a timely reminder that any optimism regarding football coming home will end in tears

A goalless draw with Scotland. At Wembley. In a major tournament. Quite possibly as unglamorous as affairs regarding the England football team could get. But it certainly wasn’t disastrous.

Friday night’s contest was dire, there’s no denying that. Sideways football, a lack of creativity and missed chances against an impressive, well organised Scotland outfit that oozed fight, determination and grit…something England were painfully short on.

When you dissect the performance, it proves to be grim reading for Gareth Southgate and his side. As well as that, it didn’t help appease the disgruntled nation when the official social media accounts of both England and the players were putting out posts with captions exclaiming how the Three Lions are ‘one point closer’ to their goal.

As much as emotion comes into play and as much as how worryingly lacklustre the performance was, they’re right.

England very rarely blow teams away, at least not under Southgate’s stewardship. Three 1-0 victories were the national team’s results in the three games before Friday night; we’re a binary outfit.

The odd win by a four, five or six-goal margin against a European minnow comes around in qualifying, but when it comes to major tournament football whilst the 50-year old has been in charge, the 6-1 win over Panama (who were utterly, utterly hopeless) is the only anomaly of England being on the right side of a thrashing.

That’s what needs to be remembered by England fans, we aren’t going to win matches comfortably. It will be utter hell for 90 minutes, but the euphoria of a full-time whistle after a victory, regardless of margin, is unmatched.

England’s goal for the group stage was simple: progress to the knockout stages. They’re still very much on course to do so.

It’s in their hands going into Tuesday evening’s final group match against Czech Republic who top Group D on goal difference, level on points (four) with England, three ahead of both Croatia and Scotland who meet at the same time.

To win the group, they must win on Tuesday…however finishing in second place may prove to be a blessing in disguise.

The Group D winners will play the runners-up of Group F, also known as the ‘group of death’ as it contains heavyweights Germany, France and Portugal, and an honourable mention to Hungary who still have a shot at qualifying following a shock 1-1 draw against France.

Should England finish second in the group, they will face the second-place side of Group E, with Spain, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden still battling to qualify. A Round of 16 tie against one of the aforementioned sides would certainly be preferred.

Regardless, the target will be to win the whole tournament, regardless of how unlikely it is. However, an ‘easier’ route to the final would be ideal for England fans, whether or not Gareth Southgate opts to play out for a draw on Tuesday will be discovered at Wembley in two days time.

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